H.—3l

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In all four hospitals the success in establishing breast-feeding in cases who have never nursed before, and also in the rearing of premature infants, has been most satisfactory. Every advantage has been taken of keeping such infants in hospital for some months for the instruction of the pupil nurses. Maternity Homes. The Totvnley Maternity Hospital. The Hospital continues to do excellent work. There have been 92 patients during the year. Miss Cora Anderson resigned her position in November, to the great regret of the Committee. Miss Siedeberg took temporary charge for some months, and in January, Miss Stubbs, trained at the Christchurch Hospital and in midwifery at Clapham School of Midwifery, was appointed Matron. Three pupil nurses were trained, and there are four now in training. Dr. Porter is still in charge. Medical School Maternity Hospital. (Under Otago Board.) Visted on the 13th March. There were 7 women in—l waiting ;5 of these were married women in the upstairs ward. Miss Every is in temporary charge of the institution. There were four nurses in training. I consider that a second trained midwife should be added to the staff, and that some district work should be done, as that work is very important for the training of the pupils. The trained midwife is also needed to relieve the Matron. The place was, as usual, in good order, but more accommodation is badly needed for the nurses. At the time of my visit two nurses —one on day and one on night duty —were sharing a room. Linwood Refuge. (Under North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.) Visited on the 15th March. There were 10 girls and 6 babies—all in the new building. The old building is being prepared for the second-maternity cases from the Samaritan Home, and about 12 old women from the same institution. It is proposed to treat the second-maternity cases during confinement and puerperium in the new building, afterwards transferring them to the old one for the six months that they are obliged to stay in the institution. This institution does good work in training a few pupils in midwifery. Victoria Home for Girls, Invercargill. Visited on 9th March. There were 6 girls in, and 9 children. The Matron was absent. The children looked well, but there was a lack of neatness and order about the Home. A young married woman, deserted by her husband, was in the maternity ward. St. Mary's Home, Otahuhu. Visited on Bth February, 1912. There were 27 girls in and 41 babies altogether—2s of these being in the children's ward and 16 in the Hospital with their mothers. The place is beautifully kept. A portion of a grass court was being enclosed for the older babies. Three babies were in the sick or infectious ward with gastroenteritis—under the charge of a girl from St. Mary's, Karori, who was under the supervision of Nurse Bennett. There was also a child who had been badly burned, and who had been brought in from outside. Dr. Aubin attends the maternity cases, and the children when needed. Nurse Wilson is still in charge of the maternity wards. There were three patients still in bed. All work together very harmoniously under Miss Handcock. Boor of Hope, Auckland. Visited 6th February, 1912. There were 17 girls in—s with their infants, and 13 babies in the babies' cottage being treated for malnutrition. Dr. Sweet attends here, and there are very good results. A piece of ground has been bought next to the place, and better accommodation for the children and for the maternity cases is to be built. Salvation Army Maternity Home, Wellington. Visited on 31st October, 1911. There were 11 girls and 8 babies in. Everything was in good order. There were several girls waiting confinement. Salvation Army Maternity Home, Christchurch. Visited 16th March, 1912. There were 22 girls in and 20 infants; 6 babies had been left here by their mothers ; there were 7 waiting patients. There are no sick babies. They are kept out in the open air all day, and thrive well. Salvation Army Maternity Home, Dunedin. Visited on 13th March. There were 11 girls and 16 babies in. All looked well, and the place was, as usual, in excellent order. Salvation Army Maternity Home, Auckland. Visited in October, 1911. This is the least satisfactory of the Salvation Army Homes. The building is quite unsuitable for hospital work. It has long been intended to build or rent a new place. To the Inspector-General of Hospitals. • H. Maclean,